Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Reginald Leonard Tucker (Son of Leonard and Ellen McLeod) was born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia. He was born on the 16th of July 1877 and grew up in Norwood. When Reginald was six he attended Norwood Public School and spent most of his schooling life there. Tucker grew up to become a hairdresser before he enlisted to join the war.  Reginald was a relatively short man who only was 5 feet and 2.5 inches. He had brown hair and grey eyes and weighed 106lbs (48.08kg).

Tucker, who was a Baptist, was happily married on the 31st of March, 1902 to Harriet Annie Tucker and together they welcomed 5 children before he went to war. They included Walter Leonard Tucker, Reginald Cecil Tucker, Norman Fredrick Tucker, Gordon Neil Tucker and Ellen Ruth Tucker.

Reginald joined the army because of peer pressure and so that people did not make fun of him for not going. During the time of World War One, men who did not volunteer to go to war were seen as “chickens,” people who were too scared to go to war. Therefore, Reginald was obligated to go to war. Australia was also a fairly young nation. They only gained federation 13 years before war (1901). Australia, at the time, was a member of the British Empire and consequently making them a participant to war. In addition, Australians’ were enthusiastic to join war.

On the 10th of December, 1915, Tucker was enlisted to join the Australian Army to fight in World War One. He was 38 years old when he first enlisted into the war, which wasn’t very common. Most participants were between the age mark of 17-30. He departed on the RMS Mongolia, which was a large looking ship and carried many soldiers. He was then appointed the position as an AIF WW1 private in the 27th Infantry Battalion with the service number of 4233. When he arrived at war he was sent to the AIF camp. This was to become his new home and a place that he could rest in between all the fighting and training. He also belonged to the 10th reinforcements while at war. And his statement of service number was 9760.

Unfortunately, only one year later Tucker fell ill at sea and died on the 3rd of July, 1916, from a harmful illness called Dysentery. Dysentery was a common illness to the soldiers at war and a lot of them died because of it. Dysentery was an infection causing diarrhea and a buildup of blood and mucus in the waste of the body.

This chain of events started when Tucker fell ill with Diarrhea on the 2nd of May, 1916 which he was then hospitalised for only a day later. On the 8th of May, 1916 tucker was diagnosed with Dysentery, which kept him in hospital. His condition became unstable and doctors discovered that this was a permanent illness for him. Therefore, they admitted him into the 3rd Australian General Hospital. The 3rd Australian General Hospital was founded on Lemnos (one of the Greek Islands located in the Aegean Sea), close to Gallipoli. On the 24th of June, 1916 he embarked on the hospital ship to go from Suez to Port Sydney for the discharge of war due to his intense condition. Sadly, Tucker did not make it all the way back to Sydney and consequently died on the ship on the 3rd of July, 1916 at 11:10pm.

His Burial was said to be at 10:15am but dates are unknown.

Harriet Annie Tucker stated “The cause of his death was due to active service, infection and food he consumed throughout his time of service for Australia.” Tucker’s family was also provided 4 shillings each day he was gone to support the family and help them pay for what they needed. Furthermore, the war provided his family with 2 shillings a fortnight. This payment started from the 3rd of September, 1916.

Today, Reginald Leonard Tucker has multiple memorials to recognise his great achievements at war. One of these include in his home town, Adelaide, at the one National War Memorials. His name is also placed at the 111 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.

Masses of people know of the term ANZAC, however many people do not know what it stands for. ANZAC is Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. And most soldiers are referred to as having ANZAC spirit. Reginald Leonard Tucker was one of these soldiers. Whilst fighting in war he showed many qualities such as courage, team work, bravery, intelligence, dedication, endurance and kindness. The ANZAC spirit is described as a perception that proposes that Australian soldiers shared many characteristics which helped those soldiers in World War One. To reflect the ANZAC spirit is to show these qualities in everyday life and to remember those soldiers who fought for our country and freedom. Reginald Leonard Tucker showed these qualities when first joining war and when fighting in war.